Staff Directory

Parents' Zone

Staff Directory

		PRINCIPAL/OWNER Mrs Lyndall KM Thornton CertEd (Lond) FRSA As a Member of the Art Department, Mrs Thornton oversees all displays of artwork. She also arranges for professional artists’ work to be exhibited in the School grounds, thus enhancing the environment for everyone. The Thornton Family has owned the School since 1981.

		HEADMISTRESS/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Dr Patricia Thompson MA DLitt GRNCM ARMCM PGCE FICPD FRSA Dr Thompson took up the post of Headmistress in 2001 and first visited The Croft in 1990, when she was Head of Pedagogy, Westminster College, Oxford. Dr Thompson has devoted her varied and extensive career to ensuring childen and students fulfil their potential, teaching across the full age spectrum from Early Years Music to Postgraduate Study.

		DEPUTY HEADMASTER Mr Marcus Cook BSc (Hons) PGCE Mr Cook has over 16 years’ teaching experience, across both primary and secondary settings. He has responsibility for deputising for the Headmistress in her absence, and is the Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding. A former Professional Rugby Player, Mr Cook teaches Games in the Prep Department. He is also Head of Geography.

		BURSAR Ms Alexandra McCormick CSBM IDipAM Ms McCormick has been working with the Thornton Family for over 20 years. She oversees Finance, Health & Safety, HR and Maintenance Departments. She has also been integral to managing four major building developments, to increase the overall capability of the School, and to meet the needs of rising pupil numbers.

		HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION Mrs Sally Jeffcoate Mrs Jeffcoate heads up the Administrative Team, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the School Administration. She is also responsible for Admissions. She is the first point of contact for all new parents and children. Mrs Jeffcoate works closely with the Headmistress on a daily basis to ensure seemless communication.

		HEAD OF PREP Mrs Margaret Crocombe BA (Hons) PGCE Mrs Crocombe has a wealth of experience in teaching and managing within Prep Schools. She joined The Croft in 2007, and is both Head of the Prep Department and Head of English. Her passion for Shakespeare has led to stronger links being forged between the School and the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company).

		HEAD OF PRE-PREP Mrs Joanna Postins BA Ed (Hons) Mrs Postins joined The Croft in 2009, as Head of Pre-Prep. She is also a Year 1 Class Teacher. Mrs Postins has been teaching for more than 15 years, much of it in London, where she was Deputy Headmistress of a Boys' Pre-Prep School. She has also taught as far afield as New Zealand.

		EARLY YEARS MANAGER Mrs Alison Webber BA (Hons) QTS EYPS Mrs Webber is an experienced Early Years Teacher and Manager. She gained EYPS (Early Years Professional Status) qualification, which focuses on the 0-5 age group, in 2010. Mrs Webber rôle-shares as a Reception Class Teacher for two days a week. She is also a CAF (Common Assessment Framework) Lead Professional.

		KEY STAGE 1 MANAGER Mrs Nicola Badger BEd (Hons) ASA Mrs Nicola Badger is a Year 2 Class Teacher, as well as Key Stage 1 Manager. She has teaching experience across the Pre-Prep Department, and deputises for Head of Pre-Prep in her absence. Mrs Badger also organises Pre-Prep Sports events including the very popular Cross Country and Fun Run, and Sports Day. She is also Second In Department for Science.

		PASTORAL MANAGER/HEAD OF PE Mrs Linzi Fletcher BEd (Hons) Mrs Fletcher was appointed Head of Physical Education and Games in 2003. She teaches in both the Pre-Prep and Prep Departments. Mrs Fletcher also looks after the children’s happiness and well being in her rôle as Pastoral Manager. She is a CAF (Common Assessment Framework)Lead Professional. Outside School, she captains a Regional League Netball Team.

		CURRICULUM MANAGER Claire Goldby BPharm PGCE NQPH As Curriculum Manager, Mrs Goldby ensures the Curriculum is delivered appropriately and rigorously across the School. She has also implemented, and reviewed the School's methods of recording pupils' progress and achievement. She teaches Mathematics in Years 5 and 6, and is responsible for administering Key Stage 2 SATs. Mrs Goldby has been teaching at The Croft since 1986.

		LEARNING SUPPORT MANAGER Ms Mary Kelly MSc BSc (Hons) QTS Dip SpLD AMBDA As Learning Support Manager, Ms Mary Kelly is responsible for managing support for pupils throughout the School. She has a Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties. Ms Kelly has managed the Learning Support function in two other independent schools, and has over 7 years' experience as a SENCo.

		DIRECTOR OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ICT Mr Barney Thornton BA (Hons) Mr Barney Thornton oversees the development of the School's facilities and the ICT infrastructure. He teaches Games in the Prep Department, and also to Year 2. Mr Thornton is a Year 5 Form Tutor, and he runs the School's Eco Club and Charity events.

		DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND HEAD OF SCIENCE Mr Sam Thornton MA BA (Hons) PGCE As Head of Science, Mr Sam Thornton delivers the Science Curriculum across the School. He believes the subject is best learnt through experimentation, thus taking full advantage of the School’s excellent facilities. He is also Co-ordinator for Geology. Mr Thornton plays Tenor Sax in the School’s Orchestra and Wind Band. He is the School's Director of Business Development.

		CATERING MANAGER Mrs Serena Edwards As the School's Catering Manager, Mrs Edwards oversees the daily lunch production of 550 meals. Assisted by Head Chef, Mrs Sue Chambers-Young, and a team of six, Mrs Edwards ensures that all pupils are provided with a home-cooked, nutritionally-balanced meal.

		HEAD OF GROUNDS AND MAINTENANCE Mr Steven Henderson Mr Henderson manages a team of 4, to ensure that the Sports Fields are in tip-top order, as well as maintaining the School's formal gardens and grounds to a high standard. Major maintenance works are undertaken during the School's Half Terms' Holidays, as well as the more extended Holidays.